Fowler’s Toad

Scientific Name: Anaxyrus fowleri
Size: 2-3.7 inches (5-9.5 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern

Habitat Type:
Lowland, open habitat with sandy, gravelly or well drained soil near streams or rivers.

Colorations:

  • The dorsal background color ranges from light brown to grey with a series of irregular, paired dark spots on each side of the middorsal like of the back. Each spot has 4-6 large warts.
  • A light thin dorsal stripe may be present.
  • The ventral color is dirt cream colored without spotting or with a single spot in the center of the chest.

Characteristics:

  • The body is squat and stout.
  • The legs are short and heavy.
  • The head is broad,
  • The eyes are prominent.
  • The cranial crest are well-developed with the postorbital branches behind the eyes. The parotids are prominent, elongate, slightly divergent posteriorly, and make contact with the postorbital crest.
  • The dorsal skin is covered with various sized warts.
  • The ventral skin is rough and granular.
  • The toes of the hind legs are moderately webbed.

Tadpole coloration and characteristics:

  • Small. Average 1.8-2.4 cm
  • The body and tail are black or dark brown.
  • The tail fin is rounded and translucent.
  • The tail is short.

Confused with:

  • American Toad
  • Spadefoot Toad

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Fowler\'s Toad - By: Bob Hamilton Fowler\'s Toad - By: Jeff Hankey Fowler\'s Toad - By: Jeff Hankey
Fowler\'s Toad - By: Kyle Loucks Fowler\'s Toad - By: Kyle Loucks Fowler\'s Toad - By: Bob Ferguson
Fowler\'s Toad - By: Bob Ferguson Fowler\'s Toad - By: Billy Brown
Tadpoles
Eggs

Range Map:

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 134-138pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Jeff Hankey
  • Bob Hamilton